Whereas many know Dua Saleh for his or her portrayal of Intercourse Training’s Cal Bowman, they have been an artist first. With a co-writer credit score on Travis Scott’s ‘My Eyes’ and two EPs out (2020’s ‘ROSETTA’ and 2019’s critically acclaimed ‘Nūr’), ‘I Ought to Name Them’ is their newest genre-defying feat. Saleh narrates an apocalyptic story of two lovers in opposition to sharp, confident manufacturing. Whereas the album’s nearly too tidy tracklist can really feel over-practiced, it’s their lyrical wit that continues to be the fleshy, humanising soul of the challenge.
On earlier EPs, Saleh splashed between genres for the enjoyable of it. Their dexterity between palettes (slick rap bars, falsetto cadences that really feel like personal prayers meant just for God’s ear to area of interest sewn-in particulars of rock, jazz and pop) locations Saleh’s innovation within the artistry leagues of Victoria Monét and Amaarae. On ‘I Ought to Name Them’, their idiosyncratic sound is dutifully stretched, and tracks are elevated with visitor options from Serpentwithfeet, Gallant, Sid Sriram and Ambré.
Although the meditative manufacturing of Rogét Chahayed (Doja Cat, Drake), Biako, Stint (Kesha, Wrabel) and 1Mind elevates Saleh’s surefire imaginative and prescient, one of the best bits are Saleh’s personal vivid, swaggering imprint. On ‘Need’, they tout their cool charisma, singing: “Now each time I’m again in LA / You up in my mattress”. Saleh’s appeal isn’t simply onscreen; it’s behind their heavy-hitting tracklist, too. But, for the breeziness of ‘Need’, its two-minute runtime leaves you feeling short-changed. If something, we need extra of Saleh’s evocative stylings, not much less.
In the meantime, Saleh’s emotive lyrics wax on like parables, making the nuanced storytelling round their layered identification – Sudanese, American, Muslim, non-binary, queer – really feel common. Cleverly probing via subjects of religious energy, love and craving, they’re formidable and uncompromising, as they present in observe opener ‘chi lady’. “Depart your historical past, bear the reality,” they swoon over hypnotic, delicate digital beats, concurrently beckoning their crush – and the listener – nearer.
On ‘Pussy Suicide’, Saleh sombrely contemplates a splintering poisonous relationship over strung-out slaps of lure and woozy ambient background beats. ‘Unruly’, that includes Serpentwithfeet, cascades in with sweeping strings earlier than slipping in twangs of funky bass, proving they’ve loads of inventive ammo at hand. Glitchy R&B electro bursts via on ‘Cradle’ as Saleh drops silky rap traces oozing with confidence, reminiscing about “sparks that fly like destiny”. Taking a cue from ‘ROSETTA’, they reinvigorate the spiritual analogies right here, likening this seductive dynamic to the divine.
As album nearer ‘2excited’ pours in, Saleh’s religious lovelorn narrative wraps up, flooded with blinking beats, swirling saxophone and percussion. Their lyrics sweep away, like an act of acceptance, leaving solely a brash avalanche of devices because the world folds in on itself. ‘I Ought to Name Them’ is an ode to immediately’s dystopian instances and nervousness, however they nonetheless go away us revelling within the efficiency of trans queer love. At its greatest, Saleh’s debut exhibits us the thrilling magnificence behind our inside imperfections.
Particulars
- Launch date: October 11, 2024
- Document label: Ghostly
